Where do you stand in the debate on how members of the House of Lords should be compensated for their costs in attending Parliament? Should they receive a flat fee, or be allowed to continue claiming different allowances for expenses?
It's an interesting debate as the two systems appear to suit members differently depending on whether they live inside or outside London. But as anyone who has stayed at SACO's serviced apartments near Westminster will know, it's possible to have a home from home near the Houses of Parliament — without having to live there…
Will a "second home" in the capital be necessary?
The debate centers on whether peers should be made to claim expenses for visiting parliament, or simply paid for each day they attend.
Until now, members of the UK's upper chamber of Parliament have been able to claim a £159.50 “overnight subsistence” for hotels. One controversial aspect of this is that no proof is required. In 2007, research by the Privileges Committee found that 272 of the 406 peers who lived outside London claimed the maximum accommodation on 95 per cent of occasions or more.
Meanwhile, peers inside London don't get to claim that amount, although they can submit up to £147.50 per day in other expenses ("day subsistence” of £78.50 for meals and taxis, and office expenses worth £69 a day).
The proposed new rules say that peers will instead be paid £300 per day to attend. So the rule change will give London-dwelling peers a bonus income compared to the status quo, whereas peers from the provinces will see their financial privileges decrease (that is, unless they're one of the members suspected of having a dwelling in London that is not declared their "main residence").
So what should an out-of-town peer do, if that second home in the capital is not an option?
Staying in London serviced apartments could be the answer…
Parliament meets for 147 days a year, and staying that many nights in hotels can be tiring, expensive and disruptive. By contrast, in a high-spec serviced apartment from SACO, hard-working Lords will be able to feel that much more at home.
They could opt to stay well within the old allowance by taking an apartment at St George Wharf, near Vauxhall Bridge, which starts at only £141 a night. Or to be as close as possible to Westminster, a luxury serviced apartment near Waterloo station will set them back only £171 a night.
To see if you would also enjoy living like a Lord, visit any of the above links to view SACO's choice of serviced accommodation in Westminster and around London.
